1.   Respect for democratic principles, and for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in other relevant international human rights instruments, as well as for the principle of the rule of law, underpins the internal and international policies of the Parties and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.

2.   The Parties confirm their commitment to promoting sustainable development in all its dimensions, to cooperating in addressing challenges of climate change and globalisation, and to contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

3.   The Parties reaffirm their commitment to the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, adopted in 2005, and agree to strengthen cooperation with a view to further improving development performance.

4.   The Parties reaffirm their attachment to the principles of good governance and to the fight against corruption at all levels, notably taking into account their international obligations.

5.   The Parties agree that cooperation activities under this Agreement shall take into account their respective needs and capacities.

1.   The Parties consider that the proliferation of WMD and their means of delivery, both to state and non-state actors, represents one of the most serious threats to international stability and security. The Parties agree to cooperate and to contribute to countering the proliferation of WMD and their means of delivery through full compliance with and national implementation of their existing obligations under international disarmament and non-proliferation treaties and agreements and other relevant international obligations within the framework of the UN, including UNSC resolutions. The Parties agree that this provision constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.

2.   The Parties furthermore agree to cooperate and to contribute to countering the proliferation of WMD and their means of delivery and to promoting the implementation of international instruments on disarmament by:

3.   The Parties agree to establish a regular dialogue that will accompany and consolidate the elements referred to in points (a) to (c) of paragraph 2. Such dialogue may take place on a regional basis.

1.   The Parties recognise that the illicit manufacture, transfer and circulation of small arms and light weapons, including their ammunition, as well as the excessive accumulation, insufficient stockpile management and security and the uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons, which have a wide range of humanitarian and socioeconomic consequences, continue to pose a serious threat to peace and international security, as well as to sustainable development at the individual, local, national, regional and international levels.

2.   The Parties agree to observe and fully implement their respective obligations to deal with the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, including their ammunition, under existing international agreements and UNSC resolutions, as well as their commitments within the framework of other international instruments applicable in this area, such as the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, adopted by the UNGA on 20 July 2001.

3.   The Parties recognise the importance of domestic control systems for the transfer of conventional arms in line with their international obligations and the object and purpose of the Arms Trade Treaty, adopted by UNGA Resolution No 67/234B of 2 April 2013. The Parties recognise the importance of applying such controls in a responsible manner, as a contribution to international and regional peace, security and stability, and to the reduction of human suffering, as well as to the prevention of the diversion of conventional weapons. The Parties agree to strengthen their dialogue and cooperation in the area of export control.

4.   The Parties agree to enhance their cooperation and seek coordination, complementarity and synergy in their efforts related to the prevention and eradication of illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, and to conventional arms transfers and national import and export control systems of conventional arms.

1.   The Parties reaffirm the importance of the fight against terrorism in full respect for the rule of law, international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations, signed in San Francisco on 26 June 1945, and relevant UNSC resolutions, human rights law, and international humanitarian law. Within this framework and taking into account the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy contained in UNGA Resolution No 60/288 of 8 September 2006, as later revised, as well as the ASEAN-EU Joint Declaration on Cooperation to Combat Terrorism, adopted on 28 January 2003, the Parties agree to cooperate in the prevention and suppression of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

2.   The Parties shall do so in particular:

1.   The Parties undertake to cooperate and exchange views in regional and international fora and organisations, in particular within the UN and its specialised organisations and agencies, including but not limited to the International Labour Organization (ILO), ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations, in particular in the context of the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

2.   The Parties undertake to cooperate and exchange views on economic and other related matters in regional and international fora and organisations including, inter alia, the ASEM, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the WTO and the World Intellectual Property Organization.

1.   For each sector of dialogue and cooperation under this Agreement, and while giving due emphasis to matters under bilateral cooperation, the Parties will agree to carry out the related activities at bilateral or regional level or through a combination of both frameworks. In choosing the appropriate framework, the Parties will seek to maximise the impact on and reinforce the involvement of all interested parties, while making the best possible use of available resources, taking into account the political and institutional feasibility, and ensuring coherence with other activities involving the EU and ASEAN Member States.

2.   The Parties may, as appropriate, decide to extend financial support to cooperation activities in the areas covered by this Agreement or in relation to it, in accordance with their respective financial procedures and resources. This cooperation may in particular include the organisation of training schemes, workshops and seminars, exchanges of experts, studies, and other actions agreed by the Parties.

1.   The Parties shall engage in a dialogue on bilateral and multilateral trade and trade-related issues with a view to strengthening bilateral trade relations and advancing the multilateral trade system, in a manner that is supportive of the objective of sustainable development.

2.   The Parties undertake to promote the development and diversification of their reciprocal commercial exchanges to the highest possible level and to their mutual benefit, in accordance with the WTO principles and rules. The Parties undertake to achieve improved market access conditions by taking measures to improve transparency, having regard to the work carried out by international organisations in that field.

3.   The Parties shall keep each other informed of the development of trade and trade-related policies or other related issues, such as agricultural policy, food safety, non-tariff measures, consumer policy and environmental policy, including waste management.

4.   The Parties shall encourage dialogue and cooperation to develop their trade and investment relations, including the resolution of, among other issues, commercial problems in the areas referred to in Articles 10 to 19 of this Agreement.

1.   The Parties shall cooperate on food safety and on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) issues to protect human, animal or plant life or health in the territory of the Parties.

2.   The Parties shall discuss and exchange information on their respective measures as defined in the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, which entered into force with the establishment of the WTO on 1 January 1995, including standards of the International Plant Protection Convention, signed in Rome on 6 December 1951, the World Organisation for Animal Health and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

3.   The Parties agree to undertake capacity-building cooperation on SPS matters. Such capacity-building shall be specific to the needs of each Party and be conducted with the aim of assisting such Party in complying with the other Party’s legal framework.

4.   The Parties shall establish a timely dialogue on SPS issues at the request of either Party to consider matters relating to SPS and other urgent SPS-related issues.

5.   The Parties shall designate contact points for communication on matters under this Article.

6.   The Parties accord a high level of importance to the cooperation in the field of SPS.

1.   The Parties shall cooperate in promoting the global transition towards sustainable food systems.

2.   The Parties shall promote dialogue, capacity-building activities and close cooperation on issues of mutual interest to promote sustainable food systems in line with the UN SDGs. Such issues include, inter alia:

3.   The Parties shall designate contact points for communication on matters under this Article.

4.   The Parties accord a high level of importance to cooperation in the field of sustainable food systems.

1.   The Parties shall promote the use of international standards and international accreditation schemes, and shall exchange information on standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures, including within the framework of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), which entered into force with the establishment of the WTO on 1 January 1995.

2.   The Parties shall strengthen their cooperation in the field of standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures, including technical capacity-building and cooperation with a view to complying with TBT measures.

3.   The Parties shall designate a contact point to coordinate the exchange of information and cooperation in accordance with this Article as well as to facilitate efforts in regulatory cooperation between the Parties.

1.   The Parties shall share experiences and examine possibilities to simplify import, export and other customs procedures, increase transparency of trade regulations and develop customs cooperation, including effective mutual administrative assistance mechanisms. The Parties shall cooperate with a view to facilitating the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation, which entered into force on 22 February 2017. The Parties will pay special attention to increasing the security dimension of international trade, including transport services, and to ensuring a balanced approach between trade facilitation, efficient controls and the fight against customs-related fraud and irregularities.

2.   Without prejudice to other forms of cooperation provided for under this Agreement, the Parties state their interest in considering, in the future, the conclusion of a protocol on customs cooperation, including mutual assistance, within the institutional framework laid down by this Agreement.

1.   The Parties reaffirm their rights and obligations under Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of GATT 1994, in particular Article 15 thereof.

2.   The Parties accord a high level of importance to cooperation in the field of anti-dumping.

1.   The Parties shall promote the effective establishment and application of competition rules and the dissemination of information in order to foster transparency and legal certainty for enterprises operating in each other’s markets, in accordance with their respective laws and regulations.

2.   Both Parties endeavour to cooperate in mutually agreed areas to enhance the mutual understanding of each other’s competition laws and policies.

1.   The Parties shall exchange information and share experiences on issues such as the practice, promotion, dissemination, streamlining, management, protection and effective application of intellectual property rights (IPR), the prevention of abuses of such rights and the fight against counterfeiting and piracy, in particular through customs cooperation and other appropriate forms of cooperation and strengthening of the protection of such rights as agreed by the Parties. In accordance with their respective laws and regulations and in conformity with relevant international agreements to which the Parties are party, the Parties will cooperate in particular on the enforcement of IPR and the protection of patents, geographical indications, trademarks, copyrights and industrial design as well as the protection of plant varieties.

2.   The Parties shall provide technical assistance to each other in the field of IPR, and assist each other in improving intellectual property protection, enforcement, utilisation and commercialisation based upon the European experience, and enhancing the dissemination of knowledge thereof.

3.   The Parties recognise the importance of and reaffirm their commitment to the Doha Declaration on the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and Public Health, adopted in Doha on 14 November 2001. The Parties shall respect and contribute to the implementation of the Decision of the WTO General Council of 30 August 2003 on Paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, as well as the Protocol amending the TRIPS Agreement, adopted in Geneva on 6 December 2005.

1.   The Parties shall exchange information on regulatory matters in the context of digital trade in accordance with their respective laws and regulations, which shall address the following:

2.   Recognising the global nature of digital trade, the Parties affirm the importance of actively participating in multilateral fora to promote the development of digital trade.

1.   In their cooperation under this Title, the Parties shall attach particular importance to the promotion of the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all. To their mutual benefit, the Parties will cooperate fully on the effective functioning of institutions in the areas of law enforcement and the administration of justice.

2.   Cooperation between the Parties will also include an exchange of information concerning legal systems and legislation.

1.   The Parties acknowledge the necessity of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls as a goal in its own right as well as a driver for democracy, sustainable and inclusive development, peace and security.

2.   The Parties shall cooperate to promote gender equality, the full enjoyment of all human rights by women and girls and their empowerment, as well as ensure the mainstreaming of gender perspectives in the implementation of this Agreement.

3.   The Parties shall exchange good practices and explore further schemes of cooperation and potential synergies between the Parties’ respective gender-related policies and programmes, in accordance with international standards and commitments applicable to the Parties, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, adopted by the UNGA on 18 December 1979, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted at the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing on 15 September 1995, the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the outcome of its review conferences, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and UNSC Resolution 1325 (2000), and its subsequent resolutions on women, peace and security.

1.   The Parties agree to cooperate in order to attain a high level of protection of personal data and privacy and its effective enforcement, in line with their obligations under international human rights law and other international legal instruments in this area, thus working towards facilitating the flow of personal data between the Parties as a key element for further developing commercial exchanges and cooperation on law enforcement in compliance with the respective laws and regulations of the Parties.

2.   Cooperation on the protection of personal data and privacy includes, inter alia, technical and legal assistance in the form of exchange of information and best practices, training and expertise, as well as promoting enforcement cooperation by the respective supervisory authorities of the Parties, including in multilateral fora.

1.   The Parties shall enhance existing cooperation on mutual legal assistance and extradition based on relevant international agreements that are binding on them. The Parties shall, as appropriate, strengthen existing mechanisms and consider the development of new mechanisms to facilitate international cooperation in this area, notably through closer engagement with other relevant international legal cooperation networks.

2.   The Parties endeavour to develop judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters, in particular, as regards the implementation of their obligations under multilateral conventions on civil judicial cooperation, including the Conventions of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

3.   The Parties shall cooperate to promote the secure and efficient transmission of relevant judicial documents, and taking of evidence and hearings by video conference, as appropriate, as well as the protection of personal data, for the purpose of international judicial cooperation.

1.   The Parties reaffirm the importance of a comprehensive engagement on all issues related to migration, including legal migration in line with EU and national competences, management of migratory flows with regard to illegal migration, root causes of illegal migration, international protection and the prevention of and fight against illegal migration, smuggling and trafficking in human beings.

2.   The Parties shall cooperate, on a mutually acceptable basis and in a holistic way, in accordance with their respective international obligations as well as their respective laws and regulations in force. Cooperation will focus, inter alia, on:

3.   Within the framework of the cooperation to prevent and control illegal migration and without prejudice to the need for protection of victims of trafficking in human beings, the Parties further agree that:

4.   As part of the consultations on migration issues, the Parties agree to initiate a dialogue on readmission, which, upon request by either Party, may lead, if conditions allow, to the conclusion of an agreement on readmission, including the use of the travel document of the EU (1). The Parties may also consider initiating a dialogue on facilitating the movement of persons, which, upon request by either Party, may lead, if conditions allow, to the conclusion of an agreement on visa facilitation for citizens of the Member States and Thailand.

1.   The Parties agree on the need to work towards and to cooperate on, in accordance with their respective laws and regulations, effectively preventing and combatting the abuse of their financial systems for the purposes of money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

2.   The Parties agree to cooperate in developing and implementing laws, rules and regulations to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism, in line with the standards developed by international bodies active in that area, such as the Financial Action Task Force.

3.   Cooperation under this Article shall also aim to promote exchanges of relevant information in accordance with their respective laws and regulations.

1.   The Parties shall cooperate, in accordance with their respective laws and regulations, to ensure a comprehensive, evidence-based, balanced and integrated approach through effective cooperation and coordination between the competent authorities, including those in the health, justice and interior sectors and other relevant sectors, with the aim of reducing the supply and trafficking of, and demand for, illicit drugs as well as the impact of such drugs on drug users and society at large, and to achieve a more effective prevention policy on drugs and to prevent the diversion of precursors, including "designer precursors", used for the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and new psychoactive substances.

2.   The Parties shall agree on means of cooperation to attain the aims referred to in paragraph 1. Actions shall be based on commonly agreed principles set out in UN drug control conventions and all international drug control commitments of the respective Parties.

3.   Cooperation in the field of drugs policy between the Parties shall comprise, inter alia, technical and administrative assistance, training of personnel, drug-related research, exchange of information and sharing of experiences on using information technology in the areas of drug control, as well as on innovative approaches to drugs policy, judicial and law enforcement cooperation, and the prevention of diversion of precursors, including "designer precursors", used for the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and new psychoactive substances. The Parties may agree to include other areas, such as the exchange of best practices or information on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, reduction of harm and monitoring of drug addiction, medicines for drug substitution, as well as additional measures to enhance cooperation in drug precursors control, forensic science, drug-related financial investigation and alternative development.

1.   The Parties agree to cooperate in the promotion and protection of human rights, based on the principle of mutual consent and respect. The Parties shall foster a regular meaningful, broad-based human rights dialogue.

2.   Cooperation in the field of human rights may include, inter alia:

3.   The Parties shall cooperate on the strengthening of democratic principles, the rule of law and good governance. Such cooperation may include:

1.   Recognising that information and communication technologies (ICT) are key elements of modern life and of vital importance to economic and social development, the Parties agree to exchange views on their respective policies in this field to promote economic and social development and human rights and fundamental freedoms.

2.   Cooperation in this area shall focus, inter alia, on:

3.   Subject to the Parties’ respective laws and regulations, business-to-business cooperation shall be encouraged.

4.   The Parties shall cooperate on cybersecurity through the exchange of information on strategies, policies and best practices in compliance with their laws and regulations and international obligations.

5.   The Parties shall promote the exchange of information on cybersecurity in the fields of education and training, awareness-raising initiatives, the use of their respective standards and technical specifications for the purposes of cybersecurity risk management and the cybersecurity of ICT products and services, including cybersecurity certification, as well as related research and development policies.

1.   The Parties agree to cooperate in all fields of science, technology and innovation in areas of mutual interest, taking account of their respective policies. That cooperation will strengthen the support to multilateral and regional research and innovation initiatives to deliver new solutions to green, digital, health, social and innovation challenges. Joint actions will particularly be needed to prevent future global health crises, especially emerging infectious diseases, and for a joint commitment to build a healthier, safer, fairer and more sustainable world. Areas of cooperation may cover, inter alia, finding solutions to global challenges such as climate change, the biodiversity crisis, pollution, resource depletion or infectious diseases, including in crisis situations, and solutions enabling the green and digital transitions. Initiatives should show global leadership on climate and environmental ambitions.

2.   The aims of cooperation in the field of science, technology and innovation shall be to:

3.   Cooperation in the field of science, technology and innovation shall take the form of joint research projects and exchanges, meetings and training of scientists through international mobility schemes, providing for the maximum dissemination of research results. Any intellectual property resulting from joint research and activities shall be shared on mutually agreed terms.

4.   In cooperating in the field of science, technology and innovation, the Parties shall favour the participation of their respective governmental agencies, higher education institutions, research centres and productive sectors, in particular MSMEs.

5.   The Parties agree to make all efforts to increase public awareness about possibilities offered by their science, technology and innovation cooperation programmes.

1.   The Parties consider that climate change represents an existential threat to humanity and reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the global response to that threat. The Parties reaffirm their commitment to achieve the objectives and goals of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. Accordingly, each Party shall effectively implement the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.

2.   The Parties aim to strengthen the global response to climate change and its impact. The Parties shall also enhance cooperation on policies to help mitigate climate change and to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise, and to set their economies, including financial flows, towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development, in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

3.   The aims of cooperation in the field of climate change shall be to:

1.   The Parties endeavour to enhance cooperation in the energy sector with a view to:

2.   To these ends, the Parties agree to promote contacts and joint research to their mutual benefit, including through regional energy cooperation. With the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement as the overarching framework guiding the partnership, the Parties note the need to address the links between affordable access to clean energy services and sustainable development. Those activities can be promoted, inter alia, in cooperation with the EU Energy Initiative.

1.   The Parties endeavour to cooperate in relevant areas of transport policy with a view to promoting sustainable transport as well as quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and cross-border infrastructure, in line with relevant international standards and principles which are applicable to both Parties, improving the movement of goods and passengers, supporting economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all, promoting maritime and aviation safety and security, promoting environmental protection, and increasing the efficiency of their transport systems.

2.   Cooperation between the Parties in the area of transport shall aim to promote:

1.   Guided by the relevant international guidelines for sustainable tourism, the Parties shall aim to improve the exchange of information and establish best practice in order to ensure a balanced development of sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products, and promote the development of tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism.

2.   The Parties agree to develop cooperation on safeguarding and maximising the potential of natural and cultural heritage, by mitigating the negative impacts of tourism, in particular the exploitation of human beings, especially children, in any form, by respecting wildlife, flora, biodiversity and ecosystems, and by enhancing the positive contribution of the tourism business to the sustainable development of local communities, inter alia, by developing sustainable tourism, while respecting the integrity and interests of local and traditional communities, and improving training in the tourism industry.

1.   The Parties agree to promote education and cultural cooperation that duly respects their diversity, in order to increase mutual understanding and knowledge of their respective cultures and languages.

2.   The Parties endeavour to take appropriate measures to promote the contribution of education and culture to sustainable development training and cultural exchanges and to carry out joint initiatives in those areas, including the joint organisation of cultural events. In that regard, the Parties also agree to continue supporting the activities of the Asia-Europe Foundation.

3.   The Parties agree to cooperate closely in relevant international fora, such as the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), in order to enhance the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, notably in the context of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by the Unesco General Conference on 16 November 1972 and the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, adopted by the Unesco General Conference on 17 October 2003, while attaching significance to the promotion of cultural diversity for the development of the arts and a knowledge-based creative economy.

4.   The Parties shall furthermore encourage measures designed to create links between their respective specialist agencies and to encourage exchanges of information, know-how, students, academic staff and experts, and further promote links between think-tanks. In their cooperation and in the use of technical resources, advantage shall be taken of the facilities offered by EU programmes in Southeast Asia in the field of education and culture as well as of the experience that the Parties have acquired in that area. The Parties also agree to intensify higher education cooperation and promote the implementation of the Erasmus+ programme, as well as to exchange best practices in the field of youth policies and youth work.

1.   The Parties agree on the need to cooperate on environment protection and towards low-carbon, resilient, resource-efficient and circular economies, including bioeconomy, decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation, and to conserve and manage, in a sustainable manner, natural resources and to foster biological diversity as a basis for the development of current and future generations.

2.   The Parties agree that cooperation on environmental and natural resources shall promote the efficient use of resources, conservation and improvement of the environment in pursuit of sustainable development. In carrying out their cooperation, the Parties will work towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the effective implementation of relevant multilateral environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement.

3.   The Parties endeavour to continue and strengthen their cooperation on the protection of the environment, specifically as regards:

1.   The Parties shall strengthen dialogue and cooperation on issues of ocean governance with a view to promoting long-term conservation and sustainable management of marine living resources and marine ecosystems.

2.   The Parties shall enhance cooperation on the conservation, management and sustainable exploitation of marine living resources as defined in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), adopted by the Third Conference on the Law of the Sea on 10 December 1982, and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, adopted by FAO Conference Resolution No 4/95 of 31 October 1995. The Parties undertake to cooperate in promoting the implementation of the objectives of the FAO Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas, adopted in Rome on 24 November 1993, and the UN Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, adopted in New York on 4 August 1995.

3.   The Parties furthermore agree to cooperate:

1.   The Parties agree to promote dialogue in relation to agriculture, livestock, fisheries and rural development. The Parties will exchange information and develop cooperation with regard to:

2.   The Parties agree to promote technology cooperation, capacity-building or any other forms of cooperation that increase productivity, safe and sustainable production and resilient practices in agriculture, livestock, fisheries and rural development areas, and that improve preparedness, prevention, detection, response and control of plant, animal and zoonotic diseases in line with the One Health approach and international standards.

3.   The Parties agree to encourage the public and private sectors to discuss and exchange business information, including business matching and trade promotion events for agricultural products.

1.   The Parties agree to cooperate and share experiences and best practices in the health sector with a view to strengthening activities in the field of research, addressing the threat from major non-communicable diseases and communicable diseases, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and strengthening universal health coverage, as well as health services, including sexual and reproductive healthcare services. The Parties also agree to exchange views and best practices on regulatory issues relevant to pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

2.   Cooperation in the field of health shall take place mainly through international fora, including the World Health Organization, and multilateral initiatives, in areas such as:

1.   The Parties agree to enhance cooperation and promote technical assistance in the field of employment and social affairs, including cooperation on regional and social cohesion, health and safety at the workplace, gender equality and equal pay for work of equal value, lifelong learning and skills development, social protection and decent work, with a view to strengthening the social dimension of globalisation.

2.   The Parties reaffirm the need to support the process of globalisation which is beneficial to all and to promote full and productive employment and decent work as a key element of sustainable development and poverty reduction, as endorsed by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalisation, adopted in Geneva on 10 June 2008, and the ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work, adopted in Geneva on 21 June 2019. The Parties shall take into account the respective characteristics and diverse nature of their economic and social situations.

3.   The Parties reaffirm their respective commitments to promote and effectively implement internationally recognised social and labour standards, and to respect, promote and realise the fundamental principles and rights at work as laid down in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, adopted in Geneva on 18 June 1998 and amended on 10 June 2022. The Parties agree to cooperate and to provide technical assistance with a view to working towards the ratification and implementation of the fundamental ILO Conventions as well as to cooperate on promoting the ratification and implementation of other up-to-date ILO Conventions as appropriate, including as regards violence and harassment in the world of work.

4.   The Parties agree to promote cooperation between government and social partners in the fields of employment and social affairs as well as exchanges of information regarding employment, health and safety at work, labour inspections and social dialogue on social and labour protection.

5.   Cooperation in the field of employment and social affairs may include, inter alia, specific programmes and projects, as mutually agreed, as well as dialogue, cooperation and initiatives on topics of common interest at bilateral or multilateral level, such as at the ASEM, at EU-ASEAN level and at the ILO.

1.   The Parties agree to make available the appropriate resources, including financial means, insofar as their respective resources and regulations allow, in order to attain the cooperation aims set out in this Agreement.

2.   The Parties shall encourage the European Investment Bank to continue its operations in Thailand, in accordance with its procedures and financing criteria.

1.   The Parties agree to establish a regular dialogue on their respective development programmes in third countries.

2.   The Parties agree to cooperate in joint actions aimed at providing assistance for sustainable development to countries neighbouring Thailand and beyond, in relevant sectors for trilateral cooperation. The areas of cooperation are to be determined by all partners involved, based on the needs of beneficiary countries, the capacity and expertise of the EU and Thailand, and to be decided on an ad hoc basis.

1.   A Joint Committee is hereby established, composed of representatives of both Parties at the highest possible level, the tasks of which shall be to:

2.   The Joint Committee shall normally meet not less than every two years in Bangkok and Brussels alternately, on a date to be fixed by mutual agreement. Extraordinary meetings of the Joint Committee may also be convened by agreement between the Parties. The Joint Committee shall be chaired alternately by each Party. The agenda for meetings of the Joint Committee shall be determined by agreement between the Parties.

3.   The Joint Committee may set up specialised working groups in order to assist it in the performance of its tasks. These working groups shall make detailed reports of their activities to the Joint Committee at each of its meetings.

4.   The Parties agree that it shall also be the task of the Joint Committee to ensure the proper functioning of any sectoral agreement or protocol concluded or to be concluded between the Parties.

5.   The Joint Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure.

1.   The Parties may, by mutual consent, expand this Agreement with a view to enhancing the level of cooperation, including through supplementing it by means of agreements or protocols on specific areas, sectors or activities. Such specific agreements or protocols shall be an integral part of the overall bilateral relations between the Parties and shall be subject to a common institutional framework.

2.   With regard to the implementation of this Agreement, either Party may put forward suggestions for widening the scope of cooperation, taking into account the experience gained in the application of this Agreement.

1.   Without prejudice to the relevant provisions of the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, neither this Agreement nor action taken hereunder shall in any way affect the powers of the Member States to undertake bilateral cooperation activities with Thailand or to conclude, where appropriate, new partnership and cooperation agreements with Thailand.

2.   This Agreement shall not affect the application or implementation of commitments undertaken by either Party in relation with third parties.

3.   Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude a Party from taking any action, including dispute settlement action, under any other international agreement to which both Parties are party.

1.   The Parties shall take any general or specific measures required to fulfil their obligations under this Agreement. They shall see to it that the aims set out in this Agreement are attained.

2.   In accordance with Article 52(1)(d), either Party may refer to the Joint Committee any divergence in the application or interpretation of this Agreement.

3.   If either Party considers that the other Party has failed to fulfil any of its obligations under this Agreement, it may take appropriate measures in accordance with international law.

4.   Before taking appropriate measures referred to in paragraph 3, except in the cases referred to in paragraph 5, such Party shall present to the Joint Committee all the relevant information required for a thorough examination of the situation with a view to seeking a solution acceptable to the Parties. The Parties shall hold consultations under the auspices of the Joint Committee. Where the Joint Committee is unable to reach a mutually acceptable solution, such Party may take appropriate measures.

5.   If either Party has serious grounds to consider that the other Party has failed to fulfil in a substantial manner any of the obligations that are described as essential elements in Articles 1(1) and 3(1), it shall immediately notify the other Party of such non-fulfilment. At the request of either Party, the Joint Committee, or another body designated by mutual agreement of the Parties, shall hold immediate consultations within a period of up to 30 days for a thorough examination of any aspect of, or the basis for, the measure with a view to seeking a solution acceptable to the Parties. After that period, the notifying Party may apply appropriate measures.

6.   In the selection of the appropriate measures, priority must be given to those which least disturb the functioning of this Agreement or, as the case may be, of any other specific agreement referred to in Article 53(1). Such measures shall be temporary in nature and proportionate to the violation with a view to encouraging the eventual fulfilment of the obligations. For the purposes of paragraph 4, "appropriate measures" may include the suspension of this Agreement, in whole or in part. For the purposes of paragraph 5, "appropriate measures" may include the suspension of this Agreement, in whole or in part, or of any specific agreement referred to in Article 53(1). The decision to suspend would be taken by each Party in accordance with their respective laws and regulations.

7.   Either Party may request the Joint Committee to review the circumstances that gave rise to the application of appropriate measures, with a view to seeking a mutually acceptable solution for the Parties. The Party taking the appropriate measures shall withdraw them as soon as warranted.

1.   This Agreement shall enter into force thirty (30) days after the date on which the last Party has notified the other Party of the completion of their respective internal legal procedures necessary for that purpose.

2.   Notwithstanding paragraph 1, Thailand and the EU may provisionally apply this Agreement, in whole or in part, in accordance with their respective internal procedures, pending its entry into force.

3.   Such provisional application shall take effect thirty (30) days following the date on which:

4.   Either Party may notify the other Party in writing of its intention to terminate the provisional application of this Agreement. The termination shall take effect thirty (30) days after the date of the receipt of such notification.

5.   For the provisions in this Agreement that are provisionally applied, the entry into force of this Agreement shall be understood to refer to the date of provisional application as set out in paragraph 3.

6.   The Joint Committee and other bodies established under this Agreement may exercise their functions during the provisional application of this Agreement to the extent that those functions are necessary for ensuring the provisional application of this Agreement. Any decisions adopted in the exercise of their functions shall cease to be effective if the provisional application of this Agreement is terminated in accordance with paragraph 4.

1.   This Agreement shall be valid for a period of five (5) years. It shall be automatically extended for further successive periods of one year, unless either Party notifies the other Party in writing of its intention not to extend this Agreement six (6) months prior to the end of any subsequent one-year period.

2.   This Agreement may be terminated by either Party by written notice given to the other Party. The termination shall take effect six (6) months after receipt of the notification by the other Party. Such termination shall not affect ongoing projects commenced under this Agreement prior to the receipt of the notification.